By BOB GIBBINS
Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH —
The parents of a 19-year-old rape defendant have now found themselves charged in Cherokee County District Court.
Prosecutors have charged Lena Mae and David C. Horsechief, both 42, with misdemeanor counts of failure to report child abuse.
Lena was arrested Tuesday night by DA Investigator Katie Bateman. After David showed up at the courthouse Wednesday morning, he was booked by Sheriff’s Deputy Kim Novak.
The Horsechiefs are parents of Corrigan Christopher Horsechief, 19, who is charged with first-degree rape. Investigators said the alleged victim is a 7-year-old girl living in the home with the Horsechiefs.
Bateman said the victim told both Lena and David about the alleged assaults in late March. Lena is an early childhood development teacher for Muskogee Public Schools.
The couple allegedly told DHS representatives they were going to remove Corrigan from the home and get counseling for the girl, but they never did.
Bateman said everyone involved lived in the home until Corrigan’s Aug. 17 arrest on the rape charge.
Appearance bonds have been set for Lena and David at $5,000 each.
